Santa's little helper

Thanks to the steady easterly Pacific trade winds from China, Santa was able to make a timely pre-Christmas (FY2010) delivery that’ll help spell my depleted fleet of Canadian Pacific motive power. A new O scale (1:48) Lionel no. 28450 CP Rail 4850TM Trackmobile will pitch in to help shuttle locos about the diesel dead line and freight cars along the waterfront wharf and industries Vancouver and North Vancouver.

The die-cast metal construction of this TMCC command-control road/rail vehicle with ElectroCouplers gives it just enough girth to tow and spot maybe 2 or 3 full-scale cars (2lbs.) on the slight, yet slippery grade along the waterfront. Nevertheless, this is just the type of fresh “new” product that the hi-rail world needs to stay relevant.

Dead line downsizing

Just like the real railroads on the slow track to economic recovery, I too have found it necessary to liquidate certain motive power assets. As more and more inactive locomotives lined my prototypical dead line (a yard track designated for loco storage), the accountants soon advised me to part ways with some idled power.

Weaver SD40-2 on the dead line.
See the November 2010 issue of CTT for details

To raise enough capital to purchase new fuel-sipping workhorses, my operation elected to purge high-mileage Lionel Dash 9 (AC4400) and older surplus SD40-2 units. Railroad leasing businesses in Milwaukee, San Diego, and Canada were the first to secure power on auction, but others are certain to bid in the world's largest "yard" sale. For replacement units, Canadian National has already delivered Lionel SD70M-2s, while Canadian Pacific Rwy. has its sights set on new Lionel ES44 Evolution Hybrid power.

Canine conductors

My four-legged pet pals have always been interested in the sounds and smells of the train room – even though they could never actually see the trains! But in October, our elder dog (16-1/2 years) Cinder let us know that it was time to retire from regular service and a lifetime of unwavering companionship. He was my first and dearest rescue dog who gave us so many great memories. We’ll miss him, but Trax (background) was a diligent understudy and he clearly has a nose for the railroad biz!

End of the line for CPR steam program

BREAKING NEWS -- After years of faithfully carrying the torch for the Canadian Pacific Rwy. steam program, Royal Hudson no. 2860 has powered her last train on my layout. As one of the most prominent and most distinctive steam locomotives in North America, no. 2860 recently served as an international ambassador during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Additionally, no. 2860 was the last steam unit in operation on my diesel dominant layout.
CPR officials cite "prohibitively expensive operating costs in these trying economic times" as the chief reason for extinguishing the fire in no. 2860. Although CPR has yet to reveal plans for future fan trips and executive excursions on its private fleet of vintage MTH passenger cars, it is believed that they will continue to operate under the power of vintage CPR diesel F-units (on order -- Lionel ship date of Nov. 2010) or the recently acquired CPR ES44AC Evolution Hybrid unit no. 9860 (Lionel 28320). Alas, no. 2860 will be safe from the scrapper's torch -- she, Unlike previously idled Royal Hudson no. 2851, now sheltered in a Wisconsin railroad museum, CPR's plans to keep Royal Hudson no. 2860 intact are uncertain.

S-P-I-R-I-T Train!

Although the 2010 Winter Olympics concluded last weekend, neither the Olympic spirit nor the Canadian Pacific Spirit Train has left town. In a few weeks, Vancouver will host the Paralympics Winter Games. Accordingly, my version of the CPR Spirit Train will continue to hang loose in the waterfront yard, a location immediately adjacent to a parking area filled with marquee tents featuring Canadian history exhibitions. Weaver Royal Hudson #2860 with TMCC leads MTH ES44AC #8733, plus an MTH CPR flatcar with a custom-decorated container (color copied at 128% for K-Line containers) Lionel Standard O CPR boxcar, Weaver CPR RPO, and a pair of MTH CPR heavyweight passenger cars. On a side note -- can you find all the LEGO parts I used? The forthcoming May 2010 issue of CTT will reveal all!

Inspired by the Winter Games

Since my latest postings are the direct result of my late night Winter Games viewing habits, I ought to add a touch of the Olympic spirit to my layout, right? My post banners are scaled-down color printouts of art posted in a City of Vancouver news release.

To install banner a on my Lionel no. 12804 highway light, I first wrapped a band of black stripping tape around the post. Next I twisted one prong of a Lionel no. 1666E-11 cotter pin around the band and left the other prong extending at a 90-degree angle to the post. After folding the paper banner in half, I used a dab of white glue to attach the two sides. At the top of the banner I left a narrow opening that’s large enough for the prong to slip through.
I raised the Life-Like no. 1851 fire hydrant above grade using a piece of styrene tubing and added a locator flag made from piano wire and yellow stripping tape.